• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.217-243
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• 2016

The linear and nonlinear seismic responses of steel buildings with perimeter moment resisting frames and welded connections (WC) are estimated and compared with those of buildings with post-tensioned connections (PC). Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) structural representations of the buildings as well as global and local response parameters are considered. The seismic responses and structural damage of steel buildings with PC may be significantly smaller than those of the buildings with typical WC. The reasons for this are that the PC buildings dissipate more hysteretic energy and attract smaller inertia forces. The response reduction is larger for global than for local response parameters. The reduction may significantly vary from one structural representation to another. One of the main reasons for this is that the energy dissipation characteristics are quite different for the 2D and 3D models. In addition, in the case of the 3D models, the contribution of each horizontal component to the axial load on an specific column may be in phase each other during some intervals of time, but for some others they may be out of phase. It is not possible to observe this effect on the 2D structural formulation. The implication of this is that 3D structural representation should be used while estimating the effect of the PC on the structural response. Thus, steel frames with post-tensioned bolted connections are a viable option in high seismicity areas due to the fact that brittle failure is prevented and also because of their reduced response and self-centering capacity.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.563-573
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• 2024

This research experimentally evaluated the local stress distribution along the cross-section of composite beams under both positive and negative moments. The experiment utilized a large-scale, two-story, two-by-three bay steel gravity frame with a concrete on metal deck floor system. The composite shear connections, which are nominally assumed to be pinned under gravity loading, can develop non-negligible moment-resisting capacity when subjected to lateral loads. This paper discusses the local stress distribution, orshear lag effects, observed near the beam-to-column connections when subjected to combined gravity and lateral loading. Strain gauges were used for measurements along the beam depth at varying distances from the connection. The experimental data showed amplified shear lag effects near the unconnected region of the beam web and bottom flange under the applied loading conditions. These results indicate that strain does not vary linearly across the beam cross-section adjacent to the connection components. This insight has implications for the use of experimental strain gauge data in estimating beam demands near the connections. These findings can be beneficial in informing instrumentation plans for future experimental studies on composite beams.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.403-416
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• 2023

This paper summarised and re-examined the theoretical basis of the commonly used design rule developed by Cochrane in the 1920s to consider staggered bolt holes in tension members, i.e., the s²/4g rule. The rule was derived assuming that the term two times the bolt hole diameter (2d₀) in Cochrane's original equation could be neglected, and assuming a value of 0.5 for the fractional deduction of a staggered hole in assessing the net section area. Although the s²/4g rule generally provides good predictions of the staggered net section area, the above-mentioned assumptions used in developing the rule are doubtful, in particular for a connection with a small gauge-to-bolt-hole diameter (g/d₀) ratio. It was found that the omission of 2d₀ in Cochrane's original equation appreciably overestimates the net section area of a staggered bolted connection with a small g/d₀ ratio. However, the assumed value of 0.5 for the fractional deduction of a staggered hole underestimates the staggered net section area for small g/d₀ ratios. To improve the applicability of the above two assumptions, a modified design equation, which covers a full range of g/d₀ ratio, was proposed to accurately predict the staggered net section area and was validated by the existing test data from the literature and numerical data derived from this study. Finally, a reliability analysis of the test and numerical data was conducted, and the results showed that the reliability of the modified design equation for evaluating the net section resistance of staggered bolted connections can be achieved with the partial factor of 1.25.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.199-206
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• 2012

Unstiffened seated connections (USC) ensure easy installation and safety during erection, thereby making the process more economical. USCs consist of a seat angle for carrying the beam's reactions and a top angle to provide beam stability. These angles are bolted or welded to the beam and supporting member. This paper sought to propose a design table for the weld strength of such connections obtained from the elastic vector method (EVM) and the instantaneous center-of-rotation method (ICM) in terms of calculating the eccentricity. Also, the proposed design table is compared with both AISC and KBC specifications.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.9 no.2 s.31
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• pp.171-179
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• 1997

The high-tension bolted joints are clamped by the axial force which approaches the yielding strength. The introduced axial force is transmitted to the connection members pass through washer. The transferred load in connections is balanced to the compressive stress of plates, axial force in bolts and the external loads. In this mechanism, the compressive stress and slip load we dominated by the effective stiffness of bolted joints and plates. In general the effective stiffness is specified to product to the effective area and elasticity modulus in connections. In this reason, the conic projection formular which is assumed that the axial force in bolts is distributed to the cone shape and that region is related to the elastic deformation mechanism in connections, was proposed. But it conclude what kind of formula is justified. Therefore in this paper, the fatigue tests are performed to the high tension bolted joints and inspected to the phase on the friction face. And using the FEM and numerical method, it is analyzed and approximated to the compressive stress distribution and its region. Moreover, it is estimated to the effective area and to the relation the friction area to the effective compressive distribution region.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.3 no.6
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• pp.451-474
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• 2003

Details are given of a cold-formed steel portal framing system that uses simple bolted moment-connections for both the eaves and apex joints. However, such joints function as semi-rigid and, as a result, the design of the proposed system will be dominated by serviceability requirements. While serviceability is a mandatory design requirement, actual deflection limits for portal frames are not prescribed in many of the national standards. In this paper, a review of the design constraints that have an effect on deflection limits is discussed, and rational values appropriate for use with cold-formed steel portal frames are recommended. Adopting these deflection limits, it is shown through a design example how a cold-formed steel portal frame having semi-rigid eaves and apex joints can be a feasible alternative to rigid-jointed frames in appropriate circumstances.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.773-791
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• 2023

Connections with damage concentrated to pre-selected components can enhance seismic resilience for moment resisting frames. These pre-selected components always yield early to dissipate energy, and their energy dissipation mechanisms vary from one to another, depending on their position in the connection, geometry configuration details, and mechanical characteristics. This paper presents behaviour insights on two types of beam-to-beam connections that the angles were designed as energy dissipation components, through the results of experimental study and finite element analysis. Firstly, an experimental programme was reviewed, and key responses concerning the working mechanism of the connections were presented, including strain distribution at the critical section, section force responses of essential components, and initial stiffness of test specimens. Subsequently, finite element models of three specimens were established to further interpret their behaviour and response that were not observable in the tests. The moment and shear force transfer paths of the composite connections were clarified through the test results and finite element analysis. It was observed that the bending moment is mainly resisted by axial forces from the components, and the dominant axial force is from the bottom angles; the shear force at the critical section is primarily taken by the slab and the components near the top flange. Lastly, based on the insights on the load transfer path of the composite connections, preliminary design recommendations are proposed. In particular, a resistance requirement, quantified by a moment capacity ratio, was placed on the connections. Design models and equations were also developed for predicting the yield moment resistance and the shear resistance of the connections. A flexible beam model was proposed to quantify the shear resistance of essential components.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.81-101
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• 2013

In this paper a robust 2-noded connection element has been developed for modelling the bolted end-plate connection between steel beam and column at elevated temperatures. The numerical procedure described is based on the model proposed by Huang (2011), incorporating additional developments to more precisely determinate the tension, compression and bending moment capacities of end-plate connection in fire. The proper failure criteria are proposed to calculate the tension capacity for each individual bolt row. In this new model the connection failure due to bending, axial tension, compression and shear are considered. The influence of the axial force of the connected beam on the connection is also taken into account. This new model has the advantages of both the simple and component-based models. In order to validate the model a total of 22 tests are used. It is evident that this new connection model has ability to accurately predict the behaviour of the end-plate connection at elevated temperatures, and can be used to represent the end-plate connections in supporting performance-based fire resistance design of steel-framed composite buildings.

• Journal of Korean Society of Steel Construction
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.557-566
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• 2002

This paper summarized the results of a full-scale cyclic seismic testing on four reduced beam section (RBS) steel moment connections. Specifically, these tests addressed a bolted web versus a welded web connection and strong versus medium panel zone (PZ) strength as key test variables. Specimens with medium PZ strength were designed to promote balanced energy dissipation from both PZ and RBS regions, in order to reduce the requirement for expensive doubler plates. Both strong and medium PZ specimens with welded web connection were able to provide sufficient connection rotation capacity required of special moment-resisting frames. On the other hand, specimens with bolted web connection performed poorly due to premature brittle fracture of the beam flange at the weld access hole. Unlike the case of web-welded specimens, specimens with cheaper bolted web connection could not transfer the actual plastic moment of the original (or unreduced) beam section to the column. No fracture occurred within the beam groove welds of any connection in this testing program. If fracture within the beam flange groove weld is avoided by using quality welding procedure as in this study, the fracture issue tends to move into the beam flange base metal at the weld access hole. Supporting analytical study was also conducted in order to understand the observed base metal fracture from the engineering mechanics perspective.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2020

This paper presents a method of estimation of fatigue demands on connection bolts of tubular steel wind turbine towers. The presented method relies on numerical simulation of aerodynamic loads and structural behavior of bolted connections modeled using finite element method. Variability of wind parameters is represented by a set of values derived from their probability densities, which are adjusted based on field measurements. Numerically generated stress time-series show agreement with the measurements from strain gauges inside bolts, in terms of power spectra and the resulting damage. Position of each bolt has a determining effect on its fatigue damage. The proposed framework for fatigue life estimation represents the complexities in loading and local behavior of the structure. On the other hand, the developed procedure is computationally efficient since it requires a limited number of simulations for statistically representing the wind variations.